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Prospectus 


hotter 


of 
the 


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1894. 


WILSON  H.  MULES  Si  CO., 

II  ST.  PAUL  STREET, 

BALTIMORE,  MO. 


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Ixotto 


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OFFICERS: 

PRESIDENT: 

THOS.    C.    PUGH. 

VICE-PRESIDENT: 

B.    HOLLY   SMITH. 

SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER: 

PARRY  LEE  DOWNS, 

Law     Building,     Baltimore,     Md. 

%- 
DIRECTORS: 

THOS.    C.    PUGH,     Baltimore,    Md. 

LEONIDAS   LEVERING,       " 

E.  MADISON  MITCHELL,  " 

B.    HOLLY   SMITH, 

PARRY   LEE    DOWNS, 

WILLIAM    STANLEY,    Pittsfield,    Mass. 

FREDERICK   DARLINGTON,  New    York. 


LOCATION    AND    DESCRIPTION 


OF    THE 


gflOMO   (jAp   ^OfiUpiOfi    p^E^VE. 


LUith  fall  particulars   and  details   of  mem- 
bership, Management  &e. 


OWING  to  the  want  of  better  game  laws  and  lack 
of  enforcement  of  existing  laws  for  the  protection 
of  game,  the  quantity  of  game  is  rapidly  diminish- 
ing in  all  parts  of  the  country.  This  is  notably 
true  with  regard  to  Deer,  Turkey,  Grouse,  Pheas- 
5-  ants  and  Partridges.  Therefore,  in  order  to  reme- 
dy this  evil,  men  of  wealth  who  hunt  for  sport  have 
in  different  places  combined  for  the  purpose  of  es- 
tablishing game  preserves  similar  to  those  of  England  and  other  parts  of  Europe. 

The  most  extensive  enterprise  of  this  nature  and  the  most  successful  is  that  of 
the  Shocco  Game  Association  of  Baltimore,  which  was  incorporated  in  September, 
1S93.  The  preserve  of  the  Association  is  situated  in  Shocco  and  Fork  townships, 
Warren  County,  North  Carolina,  five  miles  south  of  the  old  historic  town  of  Warren- 
ton,  long  noted  for  the  hospitality  and  refinement  of  its  citizens.  The  lands  extend 
from  Fishing  Creek  on  the  North  in  a  Southerly  direction  across   Big  Shocco  Creek 


to  Little  Shocco,  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  and  from  the  turnpike  on  the  West  in  an 
Easterly  direction  for  several  miles,  containing  in  all  about  19,000  acres.  Over  2,000 
acres  are  owned  absolutely  by  the  Association,  and  shooting  privileges  on  17,000  acres 
have  been  leased  for  twenty  years. 

In  no  section  of  the  United  States  can  there  be  found  a  greater  variety  of  game. 
The  forests  are  full  of  deer,  foxes,  'coons,  'possums,  rabbits,  squirrels,  and  wild  tur- 
keys, quail,  anp  many  other  species  of  the  feathered  tribe. 

A  very  successful  attempt  to  raise  English  pheasants  and  grouse  has  also  been 
made.  Last  year  a  number  of  eggs  were  imported  and  hatched  out  under  bantam 
hens.  About  90  per  cent,  of  the  eggs  were  hatched  and  next  year  about  1,000  pheas- 
ants and  grouse  ought  to  be  liberated,  but  the  association  has  decided  that  there  shall  be 
no  shooting  of  these  birds  until  after  October  1,  iSg'i.  The  grounds  were  naturally 
well  stocked  with  partridges,  but  owing  to  the  seveie  winter  of  1892,  when  two  feet  of 
snow  coveted  the  ground  for  two  weeks,  many  were  frozen  to  death.  In  order  to  re- 
plete the  stock,  birds  were  purchased  in  other  states  at  from  4  to  S  cents  apiece  and 
turned  out  in  the  preser\e.  Over  500  were  liberated  in  1S93  and  1,000  during  the 
past  spring,  and  partridge-shooting  was  prohibited  in  1S9 ^.  The  natural  position  of 
the  land  and  splendid  cover  make  it  one  of  the  best  sections  in  the  country  for  deer 
and  turkeys.  Experienced  game-keepers  are  employtd  on  the  place,  whose  duties 
are  to  care  for  the  kennels  and  prevent  poaching.  New  kennels  will  be  erected 
for  50  dogs. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  preserve  is  situated  Montmorenci,  the  club  house,  the 
handsomest  in  the  South.  1  he  house  was  formerly  the  home  of  the  late  Gen.  William 
Williams,  who  had  it  built  in  1S35,  at  a  cost  of  $33,000,  just  previous  to  his  marriage 
to  Miss  Haywood,  a  belle  of  Raleigh,  N.  (J.  The  General  died  soon  after  his  mar- 
riage and  the  pioperty  passed  through  several  hands  and  about  ten  years  afterward 
was  purchased  by  Mrs.  Mary  K.  Williams,  a  widow  of  General  Williams.  At  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Williams  the  property  passed  by  will  to  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Lucy  Polk. 
Mrs.  Polk  sold  the  property  tn  Mr.  Charles  Vardley,  of  Pennsylvania,  for  $30,000,  but 
as  Mr.  Vardley  failed  to  meet  the  deferred  payments,  she  sold  it  to  Mr.  William  Stan- 


ley.  of  I'ittsfie'.d,   Mass.,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  by  the    Shocco   (.lame    Associa- 
tion. 

The  house  is  a  typical  Southern  Mansion,  with  broad  piazzas  and  high  pillars 
supported  by  huge  granite  blocks. 

The  interior  is  particularly  striking,  especially  the  parlor,  with  its  high  wains- 
coating,  carvtd  oak  mantel  and  solid  mahogany  doors.  It  was  in  this  room  at  the 
time  the  property  was  owned  by  Mrs.  Williams  that  Mayor  William  II.  I'olk,  of  Ten- 
nessee, United  States  Minister  to  Ko  lie,  and  brother  of  President  James  K.  I'olk, 
married  Miss  Lucy  Williams. 


"MONTMORENCI,"     'I  HE    CLUB-HOUSE. 

It  was  also  at  Monimorenci,  that  Gen.  Thomas  J.  Green,  one  of  the  herois  of 
the  Texan  War.  and  the  author  of  ''The  Mier  Expedition,"  sought  rest  and  quiet  from 
the  tuimoils  of  public  life. 

'The  Shocco  Game  Association  also  owns  the  celebrated  Alston  plantation  of 
1,000  acres  of  the  finest  land  in  North  Carolina,  and  adjoining  Montmorenci  It  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  K.  I*.  Alston,  of  Warren  County,  shortly. after  the  war  for  $36,000 
in  gold.  A  few  years  ago  it  was  sold  to  Mr.  Henry  Williams,  from  whom  the  associa- 
tion bought  it. 


The  members  of  the  association  spend  a  good  deal  of  time  at  the  preserve,  es- 
pecially in  winter,  The  expense  of  living  there  is  light,  and,  with  hunting  and  other 
amusements,  the  time  is  passed  pleasantly. 

On  Sunday  afternoons,  a  favorite  pastime  is  having  fun  with  the  picaninnies 
who  come  around  to  look  at  the  strangers  and  pick  up  a  few  pe::iies.  Barrel,  foot 
and  sack  races  are  indulged  in  by  the  little  darkies  for  prizes  of  5  or  10  cents. 
Another  amusing  entertainment  is  to  drop  a  few  nickels  in  a  large  pan  of  thick  mo- 
lasses and  let  the  boys  dive  their  heads  in  and  bring  out  the  money  with  their  teeth. 
Another  performance  is  to  place  a  barrel  on  the  ground,  with  the  head  and  bottom 
knocked  out,  and  place  a  piece  of  money  a  few  yards  from  one  end  of  the  barrel. 
The  boys  then  take  off  their  shoes  and  pile  them  all  together  and  going  back  25  feet, 
make  a  run  for  the  barrel,  and  the  one  who  gets  through  it  and  g*  ts  his  own  shoes  on 
first,  wins  the  money. 

The  association  is  a  stock  company,  with  a  membership  limit  of  thirty,  (30). 
The  stock  is  divided  into  thirty  shares  of  the  par  value  of  $1,000  each,  which  are 
payable  as  follows,  $600  cash,  $200  on  July  isi,  1895  and  $200  on  July  1st  1S96.  Six 
per  cent,  interest  is  charged  on  deferred  payments. 

The  property  consists  of  two  thousand  acres  in  fee,  owned  absolutely  by  the  as- 
sociation, and  20  years  lease  on  17,000  acres.  The  number  of  acres  for  shooting  priv- 
ileges will  be  annually  increased. 

The  property  cost  $10,000  for  the  Alston  tract  of  1,000  acres,  and  $13,000  for  the 
"Montmorenci"  property  of  1,000  acres.  Both  places  rent  for  $Soo.  $400  forthe  for- 
mer and  $400  for  the  latter  place.  These  rents  are  derived  from  the  cleared  sections 
of  the  properties. 

The  annual  dues,  are  $25  per  year,  payable  semi-annually. 

Aftei  the  payment  of  the  puichase  price  of  the  property  in  full,  a  balance  of 
$7,000  will  remain  in  the  Treasury  of  the  Association,  which  money  will  be  used  for 
improvements  and  propagation  of  game. 

There  is  no  money  in  it  for  any  one,  nor  personal  liability  beyond  the  amount 
of  subscription  to  a  share  of  stock. 


References  must  be  exchanged  as  we  wish  to  keep  up  the  social  standing  of 
the  Association. 

The  officers  of  the  Shocco  Game  Association  are:  Thomas  C.  Pugh,  President; 
Dr  B.  Holly  Smith,  Vice  President;  and  Col.  Parry  Lee  Downs,  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer. The  Directors  are:  Thomas  C.  Pugh,  Leonidas  Levering,  li.  Madison  Mitchell 
Dr.  I>.  Holly  Smith  and  Col.  Parry  Lee  Downs,  of  Haltimore;  William  Stanley,  of 
Pittsfield,  Mass.,  and  Frederick  Darlington,  of  New  York. 


INTERIOR   VIEW    OF    CLUBHOUSE. 

An  idea  of  the  quantity  of  game  in  the  vicinity  can  be  formed  from  statements 
of  prominent  citizens  down  there.  Maj.  R.  W.  Alston,  Commissioner  of  Warren 
County,  said  a  tew  days  ago: 

"I  have  known  my  uncle,  John  C.  Davis,  a  great  hunter,  to  kill  in  12  seasons  in 
and  around  Shocco  and  Fork  Townships  600  wild  turkeys,  besides  a  great  many  deer. 
As  for  myself,  I  have  never  kept  account  of  the  turkeys  I  have  killed  in  a  season's 
hunting,  but  I  have  frequently  shot  as  many  as  five  a  day.  My  brother,  W.  F.  Alston 
used  to  keep  dogs,  and  I  have  known  him  to  kill  with  his  dogs  in  one  hunting  season 
as  many  as  4S  deer,  besides  a  great  number  of  foxes.     I  could  say  nothing  that  would 


interest  you  about  my  bird  hunting,  as  I  have  never  been  much  of  a  bird  hunter,  but 
those  who  enjoy  that  kind  of  sport  will  have  an  opportunity  of  having  some  fun  this 
fall,  as  the  prospect  for  birds  as  well  as  other  game  looks  very  flattering." 

Mr.  A).  Davis,  near  Shocco  said:  "The  largest  number  of  deer  I  remember  to 
have  killed  in  one  season  is  35  and  45  foxes.  In  one  day's  hunt  I  have  caught  four 
foxes  and  killed  one  deer.     I  have  never  been  much  of  a  bird  or  turkey  hunter." 

P.  K.  Williams,  of  Kork  township  was  on  a  deer  stand  one  day  with  a  single 
barrelled  gun,  when  two  deer  came  out  side  by  side.  He  fired,  and  the  shot  went 
through  and  killed  both  animals. 

Henry  |ones,  of  Kork  township,  also  on  one  occasion  accomplished  the  same 
feat.  Hunters  have  frequently  been  known  down  there  to  kill  a  deer  with  each  barrel 
of  a  double-barrelled  shot  gun. 

There  are  many  points  of  historic  interest  in  the  vicinity  of  "Montmorenci, " 
One  place  of  note  is  the  celebrated  Shocco  Springs,  near  which  have  lived  United 
States  Senator  M.  W.  Ransom,  General  Robert  Kansom,  General  Braxton  Hiagg, 
Governor  Bragg,  Governor  lilias  Carr,  General  Thomas  J.  Green,  and  other  noted 
men  of  North  Carolina. 

Just  three  miles  from  Shocco  Springs,  marked  by  a  beautiful  monument  erected 
by  Warren  county,  is  the  grave  of  Anna  Curtis  Lee,  daughter  of  General  Robert  L\ 
Lee.  Miss  Lee,  who  was  in  bad  health,  went  10  the  Springs,  with  the  hope  of  being 
restored,  but  died  there. 

Within  two  miles  of  Shocco,  the  great  statesman,  Nathaniel  Macon,  once  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Delegates,  and  President  of  the  Senate  of  North  Carolina,  was  born 
and  reared.  Hefore  his  death  he  selected  the  poorest  spot  on  his  farm  as  his  burial 
place  and  requested  that  a  mound  of  flint  rock  be  made  over  the  grave  so  it  would  not 
be  disturbed  by  tillers  of  the  soil.  He  also  requested,  that  every  friend  who  passed 
the  grave,  should  throw  a  stone  upon  the  mound. 

General  Jethro  Sumner  of  Revolutionary  fame,  is  buried  with  several  hundred 
of  his  Soldiers  on  his  farm,  one  mile  from  Shocco  Springs.  The  soldiers  graves  are 
marked  with  stone  slabs,  and  that  of  the  General,  with  a  handsome  granite  monument. 


In  1779  the  County  of  Bute  was  divided,  and  the  Counties  of  Franklin  and 
Warren  were  formed  out  of  it,  Warren  County  was  named  for  (ieneral  Warren,  who 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  The  county  is  bounded  by  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia and  lies  within  the  granite  belt. 

The  surface  is  gently  rolling.  Fruit  for  the  Northern  .Market  is  quite  exten- 
sively cultivated  and  has  proven  quite  profitable. 

Prior  to  the  Civil  War,  this  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  counties  in  the  South. 
Its  people  were  highly  cultivated  and  intelligent,  and  now  there  is  no  more  intelligent 
and  well  read  people  to  be  found  anywhere.  The  people  have  always  been  noted  for 
thier  generous  and  lavish  hospitality. 

In  former  days  it  was  a  health  resort  for  people  from  all  parts  of  the  South, 
and  thousands  spent  their  summers  at  the  summer  resorts  in  the  county  and  this  town. 

The  lands  of  the  county  are  not  now  in  the  highly  improved  condition  they  once 
were,  owing  to  the  impoverishment  of  the  people  by  the  war.  and  the  consequent  want 
of  capital  to  farm  in  the  best  manner. 

On  account  of  the  fact  that  there  are  large  bodies  of  forest  land,  there  is  a  great 
deal  of  game  in  the  county.  While  it  may  seem  strange  from  the  fact  that  it  is  one  of 
the  oldest  settled  counties  in  the  State,  it  is  nevertheless  true  that  there  are  more  deer 
wild  turkeys  and  quail  in  this  county  than  in  any  other  in  the  State. 


QUARTERS    ANH    KENNELS. 


